Apples have long been touted as the fruit 'to keep the doctor away' but now oranges may be muscling up on their status, as new research has shown regularly eating oranges may significantly help in reducing a person's risk of macular degeneration.

According to the Macular Disease Foundation, it is the leading cause of blindness in Australia and impacts about one in seven people over the age of 50.

Researchers with the Westmead Institute for Medical Research analysed the diet of 2,000 Australians over the age of 50 for a 15 years period, focusing on how their diet related to their risk of age-related vision impairment.

Flavonoids are dietary compounds found in a range of food groups and beverages that have been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidated stress within the body.

Dr Gopinath said the results were exciting and very novel, but reiterated the research was still very preliminary and more studies needed to be done to hone in on the links to oranges and macular degeneration.

"We're not saying 'just eat oranges and you're going to be fine," she said.

"We're advocating for a more healthy diet in general and oranges could be a part of that."

Dr Gopinath presented the results at an international conference earlier in the year and said other researchers had similar findings.

The more the merrier for orange industry

The research is not just good for the health industry, with the orange industry also pleased with the research findings.

Andrew Pergoliti from Harvey Citrus in south-west Western Australia said anything that showed the benefits of oranges would help in promoting the citrus fruit.

"Citrus has got a lot of health benefits so any good news coming out is fantastic for growers," Mr Pergoliti said.

"The last couple of years demand has been great so with this type of news and information coming out hopefully we can increase demand even more."

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